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Yashar! Party Chairman Says He Would Join Coalition With Haredi Parties
Gadi Eisenkot stated he is willing to sit in a coalition with ultra-Orthodox parties if they strengthen the state. The comments follow reports of talks between his Yashar! party and Yisrael Beytenu over a possible merger. Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman has repeatedly opposed including haredi parties in government while the draft exemption issue remains unresolved.
May 16, 7:45 AM·1m read1 source
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Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot said Friday that he would be willing to sit in a coalition with haredi ultra-Orthodox parties. In a video posted to social media he stated "Of course. " His comments come after reports of contacts regarding a possible merger between Yashar!
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and Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu. Earlier this month both parties confirmed they were expected to meet amid reports of talks over a potential union. A joint statement by the parties read "What will ultimately determine things is the interest of the bloc.
We will do what is right and what will bring victory. " Liberman has repeatedly emphasized his position on the draft law. About a year ago he addressed the issue in an interview saying there will be no unity as long as there is draft-dodging. He added that Netanyahu is not willing to give up on the draft-dodgers and under no circumstances is he willing to give up haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism.
Liberman said the October 7 government is stealing money from those who serve and handing it to draft-dodgers. He stressed there are no boycotts and that a future government’s first decision would be the establishment of a state commission of inquiry and a draft law for everyone.
The reported merger discussions between Yashar! and Yisrael Beytenu come ahead of the 2026 Israeli elections. The parties have not announced any final agreement on combining their lists. Eisenkot’s statement indicates his party may be open to working with haredi factions under certain conditions even as Liberman maintains a firm stance against exemptions from military service.
